Historic Home with Ties to the Underground Railroad Hits the Market

LEESBURG, VA (June 23, 2016) – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Samantha Bard of The Reef Team has listed 13195 Pinnacle Lane near historic Taylorstown. The property, nestled between the Potomac River and the Short Hills of Virginia, boasts 20 acres of pristine, private property with sweeping views of the valley.

Architectural historian John G. Lewis, a former representative of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, evaluated and listed the property in his extensive studies of Loudoun County’s historic homes. Locals recall that the home had previously been used as a Union training ground and meeting place, as the previous owners, the Goodhart family, had strong Union ties. More recently, shafts have been discovered on the property, typical in homes associated with the Underground Railroad network.

Civil War soldiers were known to travel along the ridge above the homestead.  Soldiers would frequently use the route for its location between the valley and the nearby Potomac and access to Maryland shores.

“The home has such a rich history with so many details still intact from the original builders,” said Samantha Bard. “It’s incredible to imagine the historical events that must have occurred in the home and on the property during such pivotal years in our country’s history.”

The home itself was constructed over three centuries. The core structure of the home was built by a Quaker family in 1770s, consisting of stone and wood, two key materials associated with the time period. Original details can be found in the dining room where wood beams support a contrasting wood ceiling and stone walls. The bathroom follows the same style with wood ceilings and stone walls.

Additions to the home were made during the 1850s, which included what is now used as the master bedroom, the kitchen, and another bedroom.  The renovations were concurrent with the rise of wood construction during that time period.  

In the 1940s, Major Larry and Jean Lawrence acquired the property and added their own touch of history to the home. Major Lawrence served as President Roosevelt’s Public Relations Director at the time he and his wife lived in the home. The Lawrence’s added a living room and a large utility room to the home.  In the 1970s, a bathroom was added to the second level.

The 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is complete with a sun room, three fireplaces and an expansive terrace which includes the original outdoor fireplace.  Although the home is not currently designated a historic property, the home qualifies for the designation and future homeowners can choose to apply for the recognition.

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